How a Wood Burning Stove Works
Wood-burning stoves can be a lovely addition to any home. They should only be used with wood that has been properly seasoned.
Older stoves that did not have secondary combustion allowed air to pass through between and above the fuel. This resulted in the loss of energy, chimney tarring and atmospheric pollution.
Modern wood stoves employ a superior combustion method that splits the air supply into two phases. This allows for more efficient heating while reducing emissions.
Efficient Combustion
The combustion efficiency of your wood stove is a measurement of how efficiently the wood you use is converted into heat. The heating transfer efficiency is the degree to which heat is transferred from the stove to a room. A wood-burning stove with high combustion and heating transfer efficiencies will make use of less fuel and generate less waste, such as carbon monoxide, ash and steam.
Modern wood stoves generally feature high combustion efficiency due to their sophisticated design features which allow them to maximize the burn and make use of less wood. They also have lower emissions particularly with EPA certified stoves, which require a special catalytic combustor to clean exhaust gases when they leave the stove. These stoves that are cleaner are a great choice for homeowners seeking to lessen their impact on the environment, while still enjoying the warmth and convenience of a wood burning stove.
Proper operation and maintenance can improve the efficiency of your stove. The most important thing is to ensure that the combustion process is controlled. This is accomplished by maintaining a proper fire in the stove by frequent additions of small pieces of wood at regular intervals. This will help prevent the accumulation of flammable creosote in the chimney, which can cause the stove to become less efficient.
The efficiency of a wood stove is also affected by the use of properly dried and seasoned wood with less than 20%. Dry, seasoned wood will not only provide more heat for the same fuel and will emit less air pollution and generate less smoke.
The Environmental Protection Agency has established guidelines that limit the amount of smoke and other pollutants that a new stove can emit in an hour. To meet the EPA guidelines, most modern wood stoves use secondary combustion or catalytic combustor in order to regulate combustion and limit the amount of pollution they emit. To find a wood stove that is in line with the EPA emission standards, choose one that has an EPA certification sticker and a smoke emission rate of less than 4 grams per hour.
Catalytic Combustion
Catalytic wood stoves use a special honeycombed combustor made from ceramic coated with noble metals such as palladium or platinum. The combustor operates in like the catalyst in your car to clean the exhaust. When smoke is pushed through the combustor, at high temperatures, the noble metals react with the particulates and chemicals in the smoke, breaking them down into harmless end products such as water and carbon dioxide.
This enables the stove to achieve lower emissions and burn cleaner than non-catalytic models without losing heat output or efficiency. The combustor operates most efficiently when the temperature of gas in the flue is at least 1,000degF or more. If the fire is burnt in a low-flame the gases inside the stove don’t reach this temperature and the combustor won’t function properly.
The combustor may be damaged by burning foreign substances such as trash, paper logs, 913875.xyz treated or painted wood. The burning of these materials can result in “masking” that protects the cells of the combustor with a substance, preventing it from performing effectively. Masking can also result from closing the bypass damper quickly or refueling using wet wood. If the combustor cell isn’t regularly cleaned of fly-ash and creosote, it can cause smoke spillage.
If properly operated and positioned, the combustor can provide years of efficient performance. It requires little maintenance, other than getting rid of the soot off its surface following a prolonged burn and dusting it regularly with a soft dry bristled brush.
The combustor comes with an bypass damper that is opened to ignite a fire and shut to load the stove. Make sure to check the bypass for the “operate catalyst” indicator, which shows the combustor is operating within its ideal temperature range. The operating range of your combustor may be decreased if you close the bypass damper prematurely. If you close the bypass too quickly, it can reduce the temperature of the combustor’s outlet and cause damage to it. If you’re not sure how to operate the bypass damper, check your stove’s instruction manual or contact our customer service department for assistance.
Airflow Controls
Controls of air flow are vital to ensure that your wood stove is burning safely and efficiently. The primary, secondary, and tertiary systems all work together to ensure that your fire burns efficiently. Each plays a distinct part in the combustion process.
The main air control is situated below or inside the stove’s door. It regulates the amount of air that gets into the firebox. More air means a more efficient burning fire but it also increases the chances of chimney smokiness and creosote buildup. Ideally, the air control should be open for a short time when lighting your wood stove.
Once you’ve reached the desired heat level then you can slowly shut the primary air control until the desired temperature has been achieved. It is important to make sure that no smoke is being produced from the chimney or stove as this could indicate inefficient combustion.
Secondary airflow controls pump oxygen to the top of your stove, usually in the form of air jets that are placed over your fire. This is the most important aspect of controlling the flame. Without it your fire will be burning too quickly and will produce large quantities of smoke.
The tertiary airflow, which is the final stage of the airflow system of your stove is fed into the updraft or chimney. This creates a strong draft in the flue, 913875.xyz which allows your fire to function at its best.
It is important to keep in mind that your wood stove was built and optimized for 913875 burning wood that is firewood only. Other types of combustibles do not be able to burn in your wood stove, resulting in high levels in emissions and even chimney fires. Softwood is also a good choice but it needs to be dried for at least 6 months. Avoid using manmade combustibles like cardboard and paper, since they can produce toxic fumes as well as buildups of creosote or ash inside your stove. Avoid placing logs or 913875.Xyz (Https://www.913875.xyz) any other combustibles on your fire, as they could explode.
Safety
Wood-burning stoves can be a cost-effective alternative heat source particularly if you reside in a region with frequent power outages. However, they can also be risky if they are used in a way that is not properly. They can create harmful chemicals that can affect your health. They can also create an ignition risk and cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Fortunately, you can reduce these dangers by taking basic safety precautions.
Make sure you use only dry, clean wood for your wood-burning stove. Never make use of gasoline, kerosene or charcoal starter fluid to start or rekindle fires. Never burn treated wood or painted wood, or wet wood. Keep the flue open to allow plenty of oxygen to enter. Always add wood in small increments and make sure that the fire doesn’t burn out. Never use an indoor fireplace even if you’re in a smoking control area.
Make sure that your chimney and stove are correctly installed. A poorly installed wood stove can cause a fire in the chimney that could release harmful gasses into your home. Regularly inspecting and cleaning the chimney is essential. Make sure the chimney flue doesn’t leak, which could cause carbon monoxide poisoning.
It’s a good idea store your wood in a shed or tarp. This can help the wood to get seasoned and dry faster. You should also keep the firewood out of other sources of heat to decrease the chance of fire. It is also recommended to place your stove on an inflammable surface, such as a tiled floor.
You must be aware of your children’s activities around the stove, especially if you have young children. They might try to touch the fire or play with the hot ash, which could be risky. Also, keep all flammable objects at least three feet from the stove. It is also recommended to install an air shield to protect walls and other surfaces from damage. It’s also a good idea to have your family practice fire drills at home. This can help you escape your home in the event of an emergency. For more tips on keeping your home secure read our article on fire escape routes in the event of a house fire.